Don Carlos Leisure Resort and Spa

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4.5

An exclusive five-star hotel in Marbella and the home of Nikki Beach!

This is one of the Costa del Sol's best known flagship hotels. It's becoming increasingly trendy, and is in one of Greater Marbella's most expensive areas. With beautiful gardens and sitting right on the Mediterranean, it has everything you need for a relaxing beach holiday. Inside, it is impeccably modern and stylish. Everything about the place says 'money' and, going by the guests, there is certainly no shortage of that here.

Location

4.3

90%

Eating/drinking

4.5

90%

Leisure facilities

4.6

90%

Service

4.5

90%

Value for money

4.3

90%

Bedrooms

4.6

90%

Public areas

4.7

90%

Location

Some way out of Marbella en route to Fuengirola. It is a 10-15-minute drive to Marbella and 20 minutes to Puerto Banus. But you get direct access to Nikki Beach, the number one bling party venue on the Costa del Sol.

Bedrooms

There are 243 rooms and suites, ranging from a standard double up to the deluxe suite. All are comfortable and stylish, have huge beds, come with all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel, and offer views of either the mountains or the sea. Best of all are the deluxe villas, which are more like upmarket flats and have a personal concierge service.

Public areas

Though it is essentially a 1980s high-rise tower block, once inside the design is great, with a really big lobby with art for sale on the walls, and the gardens are beautiful and relaxing.

Eating and drinking

There are four restaurants and four bars to choose from, so whether you want fine dining or a pool snack you are sure to find it. Live piano music plays at breakfast. You might be tempted like me to venture for a bit of lunch to Nikki Beach to see what all the fuss is about. I can tell you, I was not all that impressed with the quality to price ratio, but it was funny to watch the bronzed model-types sprawling and dancing around cigar-chomping millionaires.

Leisure facilities

Four swimming pools - the large pool nearest the hotel is excellent - plus a children’s club, tennis club, beach club and small spa, and several boutiques for those holiday essentials. You can rent and hire boats, water skis and the likes from the concierge.

Service

Professional and friendly service from the front desk to the chambermaids.

Who stays there

The hotel is perfect for all types of travellers, but is particularly popular for the late twenty-somethings with money, and for honeymoon couples.

Price advice

For a five-star hotel it is not overpriced, but some people question if it should truly be in that category anyway.

Amenities

Business Centre

Fitness Centre

High-Speed Internet

Parking

Restaurant

Room Service

Swimming Pool

Recommended for

Couples

Singles

Stag / hen parties

Celebrity spotting

People watching

Trendiness

Pros & Cons

Right next to Nikki Beach if trendy beach clubs float your boat

Great for a classic pool and beach holiday

Bit pricey for a drink (average price for a spirit and mixer is nine euros) or a game of tennis (30 euros)